Trent Alexander-Arnold took No12 shirt at Real Madrid as little-known rule BANNED him from taking No66 & fans crack code
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD was forced to drop his iconic No.66 shirt following his move to Real Madrid.
The former Liverpool star was presented as a Los Blancos player with his new No.12 shirt number.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold will wear the No.12 at Real Madrid
Credit: Getty
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LaLiga rules state he could not wear the iconic No.66
Credit: Getty
Alexander-Arnold, 26, stunned fans during the presentation as he spoke fluent Spanish as he addressed the media.
During the unveiling, he showed off his new shirt, which was printed with the No.12.
The defender had to change from his usual No.66 shirt due to LaLiga rules.
It is stated that first-team players must have squad numbers between one and 25.
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Numbers 1, 13 and 25 are usually reserved for goalkeepers.
But fans believe they know why the England international has opted for the No.12 - and it is all to do with simple maths.
They claim that, because six plus six equals 12, Alexander-Arnold decided to pick the number.
One posted: "Just realised Trent took no.12 because 6+6 =12."
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A second wrote: "Trent is taking number 12 bc 6+6=12."
A third commented: "6+6=12. 12 belonged to Marcelo, one of Real Madrid's best players. Wonderful number for Trent."
Fans shocked as Trent Alexander-Arnold speaks fluent Spanish at Real Madrid unveiling after quitting Liverpool
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Alexander-Arnold also explained why his name on the back of the shirt has changed
Credit: Reuters
A fourth said: "Trent chose 12 cause 6+6 is 12 just realised that."
Another added: "I feel like Trent is only wearing # 12 for Real Madrid because his number was 66 and 6+6=12."
His shirt also featured the name 'Trent' rather than 'Alexander-Arnold', which he wore while at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold explained that he did not want any confusion over his name.
He said: "I've always found that when I've travelled to Europe, the whole 'name' situation confuses a lot of people—three names, double-barrelled.
"Alexander-Arnold, people call me Arnold, people call me Alexander, people call me Alex, people call me Trent... there's a lot that goes on.
"I just thought, let's make it simple, let's make it easy. Trent on the back, be known as Trent.
"That's my name and what people will call me."
Alexander-Arnold had announced on May 5 that he'd be leaving Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract on June 30.
However, Real Madrid eventually agreed to pay a £10m fee in order to bring their new man in for the Club World Cup.
The full-back could make his debut for his new side as they take on Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18.
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